9th Annual LEI Virtual Event

April 2021

LEI 2021 Event Highlights

On April 9, 2021 the 9th annual LEI program took place virtually from 9am-11:30am.
There were 1,000 participants including students and educators from 33 colleges, universities, high schools, and intermediate schools across the state.
The event is continuing to touch student lives as educators have access to the 4 videos from the event to reference anytime and CTE has shared the links and added them to the Hospitality Pathway resources.
39 businesses/entities and 52 special guests participated in the program by either joining as a live speaker, participating in the videos, and/or providing a pre-recorded message.
Students were highly engaged throughout the event with over 400 positive messages being sent during the live event in the form of questions, agreement, and further thoughts.
Post-event student reflections and survey show a positive change to perceptions of the Hospitality Industry with 57% of respondents having a positive view on the industry before the event, and 93% of respondents having a positive view on the industry after the event.

Participants- 1,000 participants including students and educators from 33 colleges, universities, high schools, and intermediate schools across the state.

Participating Middle and High Schools (30)

Admiral Arthur W. Radford High School
Hilo High School
Kahuku High & Intermediate School
Kailua High School
Kaimuki High School
Kaiser High School
Kalani High School
Kapa’a High School
Kapolei High School
Kapolei Middle School

Kauai High School
King David Kalākaua Middle School
Kohala High School
Konawaena High School
Lahainaluna High School
Lana’i High & Elem School
Leilehua High School
Maui High School
Molokai High School
Myron B Thompson Academy

Nānākuli High & Intermediate School
Pearl City High School
President William McKinley High School
Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School
St. Anthony School
Waiakea High School
Waialua High & Intermediate School
Waianae High School
Waimea High School
Waipahu High School

Participating Colleges and Universities (4)

Hawaii Pacific University

University of Hawaii – West Oahu

University of Hawaii at Manoa

University of Hawaii – Kapi’olani Community College

Sponsors & Donations

Alaska Airlines
Aloha Hospitality Professionals; Kaukau Box
Blue Hawaiian Helicopter
Boardriders, Inc
County of Hawai’i
County of Maui

Elite Parking Services
Four Seasons Lanai
Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani
Hawaii Tourism Authority
Kahiau Gifts and Services
Mana Cruises + Charters

Mauna Kea Resort
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
Residence Inn by Marriott Oahu Kapolei
RJ Gourmet
Sheraton Kauai Resort
Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa

Participating Businesses & Entities
(39 businesses & entities/52 special guests)

Governor David Ige, Governor of Hawai’i, pre-recorded message
Mayor Derek Kawakami, Kaua’i County, pre-recorded message
Mayor Mike Victorino, Maui County, pre-recorded message
Mayor Rick Blangiardi, Honolulu County, pre-recorded message
Hawai’i Tourism Authority

John DeFries, President & CEO, live speaker
Caroline Anderson, Director of Community Enrichment, video

Alaska Airlines – Daniel Chun, Director of Sales, Community & Public Relations – Hawai’i, live speaker and video
Aloha Hospitality Professionals – Jarod Doi, Talent Acquisition Manager, live speaker
Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa – Elliott Mills, Vice President of Operations, video
Big Island Candies – Lance Duyao, Director of Retail Operations, video
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters – Eric Hamp, Director of Operations, live speaker
Boardriders, Inc. – Raelayn Borges, Field Visual Merchandiser – Hawai’i, live speaker
Careers by the People – Mike Wysocki, Author, live speaker
Castle Resorts & Hotels
- Crystal Idica, Director of Online Sales, video
- Jordan Joanou, Vice President of Revenue Management, video
ClimbHI

Julie Morikawa, President, live speaker
Palakiko Yagodich, Master of Ceremony, video and live speaker

Elite Parking Services

Nina Naka’ahiki, Executive Vice President & Partner, live speaker
Chase Takatsugi, Area Manager, Hospitality Division, video
Dan Tsuda, Director of Healthcare and Risk Management, video

Four Seasons Resort Lana’i

Larry Icalla, Island Activities Manager, video
Queenie Felipe, Senior Director of Housekeeping, video
Rachel Alconcel, Cultural Leader, video

Four Seasons Resort Lana’i’s Manele Golf Course – Seril Shimizu, Golf Course Superintendent, video
Grand Wailea Maui, A Waldorf Astoria Resort- Kainoa Horcajo, Director of Culture, live speaker
Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani – Julie Arigo, General Manager, live speaker
Hawai’i Convention Center – Teri Orton, General Manager, video
Hawai’i Land Trust – Makana Reilly, Director of ʻĀina Connection, live speaker
Hawai’i Lodging and Tourism Association – Muffi Hanneman, President & CEO, live speaker
Hawai’i Pacific University – Allyson Agustin, Assistant Director of Admissions, live speaker
Hawai’i Visitors and Convention Bureau – Karen Nakaoka, Director of Membership, video
Island of Hawai’i Visitors Bureau – Ross Birch, Executive Director, live speaker
Mana Cruises + Charters

Jacob Kahiapo, Owner, video
Kawika Kahiapo, Crew Member, video
Rodney Banis, Crew Member, video

Mauna Kea Resort

Grayden Ha’i-Kelly, Director of Activities, video
Peter Abarcar, Jr, Executive Chef, video

Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association (NaHHA) – Malia Sanders, Director of Operations, live speaker
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum

Ashlie Duarte, Museum Educator, video
Ford Ebesugawa, Youth Programs & Scout Manager, video

Prince Waikiki, Honolulu Luxury Hotel – Jared Matsuki, Hotel Assistant Manager, live speaker and video
Residence Inn by Marriott Oahu Kapolei

Kelly Kitashima, Director of Sales & Marketing, live speaker and video
Brian Hunnings, General Manager, live speaker

Ritz Carlton Residences Waikiki – Doug Chang, General Manager, live speaker
RJ Gourmet Maui – Rob Mason, Private Chef, live speaker and video
Sheraton Kaua’i Resort

Joseph Kaneakua, Security Manager, video
Kaira Kupihea, Human Resources Manager, video

Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa – Andy Badua, Baker, video
University of Hawai’i – Kapiʻolani Community College – Dave Evans, Chair & Professor, live speaker
University of Hawai’I at Mānoa – Carissa Gusman, Director & Advisor, live speaker
University of Hawai`i – West O`ahu – Holly Itoga, Assistant Professor of Business Administration, live speaker
Waikiki Resort Hotel – Glenn Vergara, Vice President & General Manager, video appearance

Virtual 9th Annual LEI Program Event

Value of Tourism to Me

Careers in Hawaii’s Hotels & Resorts

Other Careers Beyond Hotels & Resorts in Hawaii’s Hospitality Industry

2021 Virtual LEI Program | LIVE

Post-Event Student Reflections

Before the LEI Conference I didn’t think that the tourism industry had much of an impact, I thought that they only took care of the people who were visiting. Now, after the Conference it changed my whole perspective. I have noticed how much the tourism industry does for people and for Hawaii. Not only are they a source of income, but they also help share the values and the knowledge about Hawaiian culture. When people around the world come to visit Hawaii, the tourism industry treats their guests with aloha and makes sure that they start to love Hawaii not only for the environment and the beaches, but for their culture and the special bond that everyone has with one another. One of the main reasons why people join the tourism industry is to make people notice how beautiful Hawaii really is, and without the tourism industry people wouldn’t have that opportunity. It gives them a reason to love Hawaii and want to come back. Overall, the tourism industry has become very important to me because it helps people who visit gain the experience and knowledge about Hawaii and its culture.

Student from Waianae High School

The tourist industry in Hawaii is important to me because it gives so many locals opportunities to work and find a passion. I also find that the importance of the tourist industry falls under the knowledge that we can spread to visitors that come from all over. We can share our culture, mana, and ‘Aina with them. The tourist industry supports so many of the needs and wants of the islands, from agriculture to stores. The money from the enormous industry gets funneled back into our communities, schools, roads, and government. The people of Hawaii should be so grateful to have such a once-thriving industry and soon to be brought back once again. I know that I’m so very thankful for this industry not only because of the profits that Hawaii gets but for the opportunities that are given to many local Keiki and future generations.

Student from Molokai High School

The tourism industry in Hawaii is important to me because it was my first welcome into America. As an immigrant from the Philippines, my family decided to move to America for better opportunities. After getting off my flight, the tourism industry was the first thing to welcome me on this island. The welcoming faces of people, whom I have never met before, made me feel like I’ve been living here for years. It felt like home.

The tourism industry does so much for our community that it is sometimes overlooked. People think that the tourism industry is there just to accommodate tourists and give our island money, but it’s actually way more than that. The tourism industry creates new ways to welcome a variety of people into our islands. Not only that, but the tourism industry in Hawaii is completely different from other areas. Our industry finds a way to make you feel like home, even if you are miles away from home. In addition, they treat you like family, despite just meeting you for the first time. Without the tourism industry, I don’t think I would have felt very welcome stepping onto new land. That is why the tourism industry in Hawaii is important to me.

Student from Waipahu High School